A discussion at the 20th Thessaloniki International Book Fair about developments in the Balkans and the latest clouds in Greece-North Macedonia relations from the perspective of journalist Stavros Tzima.

The “Giorgos Ioannou” hall at the Thessaloniki International Book Fair was full, despite the late hour. The presentation of journalist Stavros Tzima’s three books on the Balkans, from “Epikentro” publications, coincided with the new tension between Athens and Skopje over the name of North Macedonia. Quo vadis in the Balkans? What are the smoldering fires that cause the risk of a setback in Greece-North Macedonia relations?

Ignition hazards

Stavros Tzimas records in his three books Greek-Albanian relations during the turbulent period of the 90s, the collapse of Yugoslavia and the hidden aspects of the Macedonian issue until the signing of the Prespa Agreement. Through the penetrating look of the reporter in the field, he illuminates unknown events, giving a multifaceted picture. “I follow the principle: We journalists write what we know. What I saw, heard, and what I was told. I don’t write in strokes”, points out Stavros Tzimas speaking to Deutsche Welle.

The predominance of the nationalist party VMRO-DPMNE in North Macedonia and its insistence on putting the Prespa Agreement into practice creates serious concern. “Officially, nothing changes. It is an international treaty that overrides the laws of the two countries. However, a tug-of-war over the name will begin, delays on individual agreements and a dangerous merry-go-round on a path of introversion”, emphasizes Tzimas. How is all this questioning of the agreed happening? Who has an interest in all this? “Everyone points to Russia. He opposed the Prespa Agreement, remains a player in the region and would benefit from an upheaval, adding a pole to the Ukrainian one,” says the Greek journalist. VMRO’s cooperation with Albanian parties influenced by radical nationalist Albin Kurti in Kosovo worries the journalist, who fears a rift among Albanians. Furthermore, the rhetoric of non-recognition of the Prespa Agreement combined with the refusal to sign the constitutional amendments in order to include the Bulgarian minority living in the country, ignite tensions in the far-right fringes of both countries. “I fear the resurgence of nationalisms in the region, at a time when all the Balkans, despite their poverty, are buying weapons. A possible Balkan domino will cause a change in the poles of power of Serbia, Bulgaria and Albania”, adds Mr. Tzimas worriedly.

The Prespa Agreement and the European road

How good was the Prespa Agreement? “A deal is better than no deal. At the negotiation table you will give and take. Only in the Treaty of Versailles did this not happen”, says Mr. Tzimas, commenting that the individual issues are formulated in such a way that they are interpreted as each side wishes. “I don’t know if it’s a win-win, but it stabilized the relations between the two countries. It sure could be better. I have no illusions, no agreement is implemented from the next day. A lot of blood was spilled in the Balkans and the wells of suspicion are still bubbling up,” says Mr. Tzimas characteristically.

“It took us many years to root out nationalism and populism in the Balkans, and many ethnic conflicts. At the moment when the European approach to the region began to stabilize, it would be a colossal mistake to expose the region to subversive forces. Let’s not let things go wrong now”, commented the Greek vice-president of the Commission Margaritis Schinas at the presentation, criticizing the recent rhetoric of Skopje against the Prespa Agreement and emphasizing in his comment the unanimous reaction on the part of the European Union, which will continue to be against such tactics.

The societies of the two countries will give the final answer

“Besides the story of those above, there is also the story of those below, which should make us at least modestly optimistic. The Balkans are not inhabited by various villainous heroes. We have a common cultural heritage, which creates one of the bottom mounds in the effort to rekindle national passions”, Petros Papasarandopoulos from “Epikentro” publications pointed out in the presentation.

In the recent survey of the American institute International Republican Institute (IRI), Greece is not among the five countries that the inhabitants of North Macedonia feel as a threat to them, in contrast to Bulgaria and Albania.

“But they’re all here. On the weekends, everyone goes down to Greece. The elections were held on Wednesday because on the weekends people are absent in Greece,” says Mr. Tzimas characteristically, continuing: “It is created with a focus on Thessaloniki and Northern Greece which exert a perpetual gravitational pull on the societies of the Balkans towards the shores of the Northern Aegean, a sweet mix of culture and human relations that is hard to resist. There is another osmosis now, no matter how some people react.”

For him, the dream of every Western Balkan citizen is to become a European citizen. “There is a shift and attachment to the Western way of life for the people of North Macedonia. EU membership means a lot to citizens, NATO membership not so much. They need some encouraging moves.”